Magical Milk Bar Cake Recipe: Sweet Dreams in Every Slice

Sweet memories collide with classic milk bar cake magic in this delightful dessert adventure.

Every baker dreams about recreating christina tosi’s legendary confection with precision and love.

Layers of nostalgia combine unexpected textures that dance across your palate.

Soft, tender crumbs promise a delectable journey through comfort and creativity.

Simplicity meets sophistication in this iconic recipe that breaks traditional dessert boundaries.

Unique techniques will transform your kitchen into a professional pastry playground.

You can totally nail this stunning centerpiece that sparks conversation and delights everyone around the table.

Why Milk Bar Cake Is The Dessert Everyone Talks About

• Craft with Ease: This Milk Bar cake recipe welcomes bakers of all skill levels, making it a perfect choice for beginners and experienced home cooks alike.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Perfect for birthday parties, potlucks, and family gatherings, this cake brings joy and creates memorable moments with its classic appeal and delicious flavor.
• Customize Your Creation: Flexible decorating options allow you to personalize the cake with sprinkles, crumbled cake pieces, or your favorite toppings, making each version unique and exciting.
• Minimal Cleanup Champion: Using basic kitchen tools and requiring just one mixing bowl and a baking pan, this recipe minimizes kitchen mess and simplifies the baking process.

Must-Have Ingredients For The Famous Milk Bar Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental dry ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb in the cake.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the cake rises and becomes light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's moisture.
• Milk: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, cohesive batter.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic, aromatic flavor to the cake.

• Unsalted Butter: The creamy base that gives the frosting its rich texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet frosting with the right consistency.
• Milk, Vanilla Extract: Enhance the frosting's flavor and help achieve a spreadable texture.

• Sprinkles, Cake Crumbs: Add a fun visual appeal and extra texture to the finished cake.

How To Bake Milk Bar Cake That Wows

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Ensure the entire surface is covered and lightly greased to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cornstarch

Whisk these ingredients thoroughly to eliminate any potential lumps and create a uniform mixture.

Step 3: Blend Wet Components

• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Whole milk
• Vanilla extract

Use an electric mixer to blend ingredients until the batter becomes smooth and fully incorporated, with no visible streaks.

Step 4: Pour and Smooth Batter

Transfer cake batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread evenly and create a level surface for consistent baking.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.

Step 6: Cool Completely

Remove cake from oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 45-60 minutes. Allowing complete cooling prevents frosting from melting.

Step 7: Craft Creamy Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Beat until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Step 8: Frost the Cake

Using an offset spatula, generously spread frosting across the entire cake surface, creating an even, luxurious layer.

Step 9: Add Playful Decoration

• Colorful sprinkles
• Crumbled cake pieces
• Chocolate shavings

Gently press decorations into the frosting to ensure they stick.

Step 10: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes, allowing frosting to set and flavors to develop. Slice and serve chilled for maximum enjoyment.

Tips That Take Milk Bar Cake To The Next Level

• Prevent Lumps: Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure a smooth, lump-free cake batter that bakes evenly.
• Master Mixing Technique: Use room temperature ingredients for better incorporation and a more consistent cake texture.
• Check Cake Doneness: Test with a toothpick near the center; clean or with minimal crumbs indicates perfectly baked cake.
• Frosting Perfection: Cream butter until light and fluffy before adding powdered sugar for a silky, smooth frosting consistency.
• Chill for Flavor: Refrigerate cake for 30 minutes before serving to enhance taste and allow frosting to set completely.

Creative Twists For The Milk Bar Cake You’ll Love

• Birthday Bash Cake: Transform the classic Milk Bar cake into a festive birthday treat by adding colorful rainbow sprinkles throughout the batter and creating a vibrant, multi-colored frosting layer.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Enhance the original recipe by incorporating cocoa powder into the dry ingredients and adding chocolate chips to the batter, then topping with a rich chocolate ganache frosting.
• Fruity Summer Sensation: Fold fresh berries like strawberries or blueberries into the cake batter, and create a light cream cheese frosting infused with lemon zest for a refreshing summer version.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Mix chopped pecans or almonds into the batter, drizzle caramel sauce between cake layers, and sprinkle toasted nuts on top of the creamy frosting for extra texture and flavor.

Best Pairings For The Milk Bar Cake Experience

• Elevate Sweet Celebrations: Milk Bar Cake Pairings
• Brew the Perfect Coffee Companion: Select a medium roast Colombian coffee with caramel undertones to complement the cake's sweetness, creating a balanced flavor profile that enhances each bite.
• Craft a Creamy Beverage Match: Prepare cold vanilla bean milk or a rich horchata to soften the cake's sugary notes, providing a smooth counterpoint that refreshes the palate between indulgent bites.
• Create a Fruit-Forward Accent: Serve alongside fresh raspberries or macerated strawberries, which cut through the cake's richness and add a bright, tangy dimension that balances the dessert's intense sweetness.

How To Keep Milk Bar Cake Fresh And Tasty

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, covering it loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring no air pockets that could cause freezer burn.
• Keep the cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon, placing it in a cake carrier or covering with a cake dome to protect from dust and maintain freshness.
• For individual slices, use parchment paper between layers when storing in the refrigerator to prevent sticking and preserve the frosting's appearance.

Got Milk Bar Cake Questions? We’ve Got Answers

• Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Use a 1:1 replacement ratio and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

• What's the best way to prevent the cake from sticking to the pan?

Always grease the pan thoroughly and line it with parchment paper. This creates a non-stick surface and makes cake removal much easier.

• How do I know if I've mixed the batter correctly?

The batter should look smooth and have no visible dry ingredient lumps. When you lift the mixer, the batter should fall in a steady, ribbon-like stream.

• Why is my frosting too thick or thin?

For thick frosting, add more powdered sugar. If it’s too thin, incorporate more softened butter or chill it briefly to help it set and become more spreadable.

Milk Bar Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Milk Bar cake brings nostalgia and sweetness to dessert tables with its playful layers of childhood memories. Creamy, textured, and irresistibly indulgent, this iconic treat invites you to savor each delightful bite of pure comfort.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup milk powder
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting and Topping:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sprinkles or crumbled cake pieces for decoration

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing and lining with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry cake ingredients, whisking thoroughly to eliminate any lumps and create a uniform mixture.
3. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients, mixing with an electric mixer until the batter becomes smooth and fully incorporated.
4. Transfer the cake batter into the prepared pan, ensuring even distribution and smoothing the top with a spatula.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with minimal crumbs.
6. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack for approximately 45-60 minutes.
7. For the frosting, cream the softened butter in a stand mixer until light and fluffy, gradually adding powdered sugar and mixing until smooth.
8. Incorporate milk and vanilla extract into the frosting, beating until achieving a creamy, spreadable consistency.
9. Once the cake has cooled, generously spread the frosting across the entire surface, creating an even layer.
10. Decorate the frosted cake with sprinkles or crumbled cake pieces, pressing them gently into the frosting to ensure they adhere.
11. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the frosting to set and flavors to meld together.

Notes

• Prevent cake dryness by using room temperature ingredients, which blend more smoothly and create a more consistent texture.
• Experiment with alternative milk options like almond or oat milk for dairy-free variations without compromising the cake’s rich flavor profile.
• Enhance moisture by adding a simple syrup brush over the cooled cake layers before frosting, creating a more decadent and tender crumb.
• Maximize flavor complexity by toasting sprinkles or cake crumbs briefly in a pan before decorating, which intensifies their nutty undertones and adds depth to the overall dessert.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg